Image
Transformation of the regional focus from metallurgy to information technologies.
Published on 17 December 2019
Slovakia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Metallurgy, chemical industry and electric engineering played for decades the crucial roles in the region of Košice. With changes in the structure of the national economy with less heavy industries and more automotive and service based companies, there was an eminent need for changing the regional industry ecosystem.
Local technology university (TUKE) was historically focused on mining and metallurgy, but in mid 90ties TUKE started to extend their IT focus. This has made region attractive for investors - first big IT companies were T-systems and NESS, followed by several international and local firms;
Regional IT ecosystem continuously evolved, incl. companies from robotics and in general I 4.0 (FPT, Spinea, etc.). Demand of the localized companies has pushed for more IT graduates. This HR need was a trigger for Establishment of Košice IT Valley Cluster with the mission helping to build the information and knowledge society, create a communication platform for all stakeholders to accelerate the development of the IT in the region.
Cluster is in very high extent supporting activities for building local educational system for IT professionals and to minimize the brain drain, by:
-organizing events that are attractive for young professionals in IT industry
-providing respectful platform for universities and companies to develop the new curricula according the needs of companies.
Local technology university (TUKE) was historically focused on mining and metallurgy, but in mid 90ties TUKE started to extend their IT focus. This has made region attractive for investors - first big IT companies were T-systems and NESS, followed by several international and local firms;
Regional IT ecosystem continuously evolved, incl. companies from robotics and in general I 4.0 (FPT, Spinea, etc.). Demand of the localized companies has pushed for more IT graduates. This HR need was a trigger for Establishment of Košice IT Valley Cluster with the mission helping to build the information and knowledge society, create a communication platform for all stakeholders to accelerate the development of the IT in the region.
Cluster is in very high extent supporting activities for building local educational system for IT professionals and to minimize the brain drain, by:
-organizing events that are attractive for young professionals in IT industry
-providing respectful platform for universities and companies to develop the new curricula according the needs of companies.
Resources needed
Since its establishment the mission and vision was jointly developed and professional cluster management hired (personnel count is 2);
-Cluster´s budget is app. 60 000 EUR/year;
-Cluster is regularly applying for national cluster operation support scheme of state aid with grants up to 50.000 €.
-Cluster´s budget is app. 60 000 EUR/year;
-Cluster is regularly applying for national cluster operation support scheme of state aid with grants up to 50.000 €.
Evidence of success
Growth of IT employees In Košice region from less than 1000 IT specialist in 2007 up to 15 000 in 2019;
Cluster is the only in Slovakia that was certified according ESCA on Cluster Management Excellence Label GOLD:
https://www.cluster-analysis.org/gold-label-new/?complete=1
Cluster is the only in Slovakia that was certified according ESCA on Cluster Management Excellence Label GOLD:
https://www.cluster-analysis.org/gold-label-new/?complete=1
Potential for learning or transfer
- Importance of well defined joint goals shared by various stakeholders (private, public institutions and regional government) – increase the output of IT professionals as a solution for transforming heavy industry region into an IT centre of the country and long-term commitment to achieve this goal via cluster organization;
- Cluster as a facilitator between the members and general public, creating awareness of IT industry and participating on creation of vital and vibrant social and professional life in the city to keep the talents in the region (stopping the brain drain).
- The main learning outcome for policy makers is that clusters should be supported via appropriate measures focused on HR development and thus developing local ecosystem (in this case in education of IT professionals), that will create stable environment suitable for continuous growth of regional competitiveness and thus competitiveness of the companies operating within the cluster and region.
- Cluster as a facilitator between the members and general public, creating awareness of IT industry and participating on creation of vital and vibrant social and professional life in the city to keep the talents in the region (stopping the brain drain).
- The main learning outcome for policy makers is that clusters should be supported via appropriate measures focused on HR development and thus developing local ecosystem (in this case in education of IT professionals), that will create stable environment suitable for continuous growth of regional competitiveness and thus competitiveness of the companies operating within the cluster and region.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Košice iT Valley Cluster
Slovakia
Východné Slovensko
Contact
Director of Dpt.